Five-yearly anniversary excites former students

A side view of Levuka Public School from the Ovalau Club. Picture: FILE

IT will be a day to remember when the ex-scholars of Levuka Public School meet for the 130th anniversary of probably the oldest school in the country.

The reunion is organised every five years.

The last one was in 2009 — an emotional experience for those who made it to the Old Capital then so organisers are hoping to top that.

Organiser Matthew Robinson said it would be a hard task topping the 2009 event but all efforts were being made to ensure the 135th anniversary celebration at the end of the month was another memorable event.

"We are going to have a march through Levuka where we will get the ex-scholars divided into their houses," Mr Robinson said.

"We will have a marching band and we will invite other people to join us as we celebrate."

Mr Robinson added there had been requests to make the event an annual one.

"Some of the ex-scholars are in their 70s and 80s and they have requested if the event could be an annual one as this is probably one of those times when they get together with their friends," he said. Mr Robinson's last year at Levuka Public was in 1964.

His fondest memories were the times he spent with his friends at the school. "The school is very special to us. We have made friendships here, for some they have found more than friends."

"Making the celebrations memorable will be an icing to the cake."

Levuka Public School was opened in September 2, 1879.

Post deed of cession, people of the colony decided to provide adequate education for their children.

In an old school report from the headmaster to the board, the roll number on October 6 was 137 and by May 1880, it increased to 180.

In 1906, a grant was given to the school and a hostel was opened in 1908.

Two years later, a new classroom was added and another at a later date.

In 1913, a technical school was added to the facilities and boys were taught carpentry, metal work and boat building.